Tag Archives: Bill Condon

Hugh Jackman’s first film of his post-Wolverine career will be a routine to his roots: musicals. An unknown song and dance man before becoming a household name thanks to his iconic portrayal of Wolverine in the X-Men films, Jackman will be headlining the big holiday musical of 2017. With the songwriters of La La Land, will The Greatest Showman, starring Jackman as circus legend P.T. Barnum be able to duplicate that film’s success? Jackman’s only Oscar nomination was for leading the cast of the big screen adaptation of Les Miserables, so this is familiar territory, the only question is can a first-time director deliver? The first trailer looks very promising. Co-starring Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya, The Greatest Showman will open Christmas Day. Read more below from Coming Soon.

Inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business & tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.

Beauty and the Beast was a polarizing film (that still managed to end up being #8 on the all-time U.S. box office chart). Some felt it bettered the 1991 animated classic, some felt that film could never be touched, and some-like me-feel that both can be spectacular. I don’t think the live-action film surpasses its original the way 2016’s The Jungle Book did, but I loved Beauty and the Beast (you can read my review here), despite some flaws, and a huge reason why is Dan Stevens and his musical number: “Evermore”. Continue reading My Favorite Scene: Beauty and the Beast (2017) “Evermore”→

Beauty and the Beast, the live-action adaptation of the studio’s animated classic, brought the story and characters audiences know and love to spectacular life and broke box office records. Now the stunning, cinematic event arrives home on June 6 on Digital HD, Blu-ray, Disney Movies Anywhere, DVD and On-Demand.

Fans who bring home Beauty and the Beast can celebrate the release with three ways to watch the movie – the original theatrical cut, the premiere cut with overture, and a musical experience with a sing-along version. The release invites viewers to get up close and personal with the filmmakers and cast to see how this beloved animated film was transformed into a new live-action classic, from the first enchanted table read to a fascinating look at how the film was brought to life utilizing lavish sets, elaborately designed costumes and props, and state-of the-art technology. A feature on the amazing women behind the enchanted tale hosted by Emma Watson; and over 10 minutes of deleted scenes along with musical extras, including the Beauty and the Beast music video starring Ariana Grande and John Legend, Celine Dion’s heartfelt take on the new song “How Does a Moment Last Forever,” and jump directly to all you favorite unforgettable songs.

Bonus features include:

BLU-RAY & DIGITAL HD:

Enchanted Table Read – Join the cast for the movie’s elaborately staged table read, complete with singing and dancing to live music, set pieces and more.A Beauty of a Tale – Explore the process of transforming a beloved animated film into a new live-action classic.The Women Behind “Beauty and the Beast” – Emma Watson introduces several of the talented women in all aspects of production who helped bring this enchanted tale to life.Making a Moment with Celine Dion – Celine Dion shares what it’s like to sing “How Does a Moment Last Forever” – and be a part of the legacy of “Beauty and the Beast.”From Song to Screen: Making the Musical Sequences – See what goes into making some of the best-known moments from “Beauty and the Beast.”“Belle” — Filmmakers and cast reveal how it felt to shoot this memorable scene.“Be Our Guest” — Discover all that went into creating this epic, primarily virtual performance.“Gaston” — Join the cast for rehearsals and filming of this rousing, high-energy number.“Beauty and the Beast” — You’re invited on set for the filming of this beloved, classic scene.

Deleted ScenesIntroduction by Director Bill Condon — Director Bill Condon presents a collection of scenes that, for one reason or another, ended up on the cutting-room floor.Gaston Courts Belle — Pleased with himself after settling a disturbance with the townspeople, a triumphant Gaston attempts to woo Belle.Bread and Jam for Agathe — On her morning market rounds, Belle stops by to see Agathe, the village beggar woman.Storming the Ice Gates — The angry mob of villagers, led by Gaston, overwhelms the castle’s defenses.Lumière Torches LeFou — As the fight rages around them, LeFou scuffles with Plumette … until he experiences a sudden, extremely heated interruption.Monsieur Toilette — LeFou escapes from the brawl into a small room, where he’s startled by a castle resident.Cogsworth Rescues Lumière — When Clothilde the fishmonger threatens Lumière, Cogsworth leaps into the fray.Treacle the Lasses — Three village lasses chase Chip and Froufrou – Madame Garderobe’s dog-turned-footstool – into the kitchen, where a surprise awaits.LeFou and Monsieur Toilette Reunite — After the spell is broken and the castle residents are returned to human form, LeFou and his new acquaintance meet again.

Extended Song: “Days in the Sun” – Learn more about Beast’s childhood in an alternate version of this beautiful song, introduced by director Bill Condon.“Beauty and the Beast” Music Video – Award-winning artists Ariana Grande and John Legend perform a moving version of this iconic song.Making the Music Video – Go on set to capture the magic as it happens in Ariana Grande and John Legend’s “Beauty and the Beast” music video.Disney Song Selection – Jump directly to all your favorite songs and sing along with the movie.“Belle”“How Does a Moment Last Forever” (Music Box)“Belle” (Reprise)“Gaston”“Be Our Guest”“Days in the Sun”“Something There”“How Does a Moment Last Forever” (Montmartre)“Beauty and the Beast”“Evermore”“The Mob Sing”“Beauty and the Beast” (Finale)

Beauty and the Beast was the most critically acclaimed animated Disney feature since Snow White, so the live-action turn was going to get incredible scrutiny even before Jon Favreau made a better Jungle Book than either the Disney animated film or the Kipling books. So whomever followed that was going to have a high bar to clear or even match, and when it was followed by Beauty and the Beast, the early praise and jaw-dropping trailers we’d been seeing for nearly a year have experienced a load of critical backlash in the last month. It IS a very difficult movie to review and compare to the original, but this is not the 70% film Rotten Tomatoes currently rates it at. While this live action version of Beauty and the Beast does not reach the perfection of the 1991 film, it is the second fantastic musical we’ve had released for the screen in three months (at some point I may have to stop saying I hate musicals). While comparisons can’t be avoided, and there are some pitfalls, Beauty and the Beast continues a stream of quality re-imaginings of Disney’s animated works, presenting an absolutely gorgeous, moving, film. Continue reading Movie Review: Beauty and the Beast (2017) “Tale Told Nearly As Well As Last Time”→

This is just stunning. The teaser and the two trailers for this film have been clinics on how to sell a film to an audience. The only criticism I can lay is I can’t imagine that any other rendition of the original Beauty and the Beast anthem that’s played over this trailer can equal the original, but so much looks so good that I’m going into this expecting something very special. Beauty and the Beast opens March 17, 2017. Continue reading Trailer Time: Beauty and the Beast Trailer #2 (2017) *Final Invitation*→